Terrestrial Wildlife Ecology Lab
Research Interests
My research centers on understanding and explaining how people make conservation-related judgments and decisions, and the intersection of such judgments with conservation policy. As a member of the School’s Terrestrial Wildlife Ecology Laboratory, most of my research is topically focused on wildlife conservation. My research is necessarily interdisciplinary—it often integrates theory and concepts from basic disciplines (e.g., psychology, economics) as well as practical fields of study (e.g., conservation biology, wildlife ecology, fisheries management). The general aim of my research is to contribute to bodies of knowledge that will assist societies in building policies and practices that promote biodiversity and sustainable human lifestyles.
Popular articles based on Dr. Bruskotter’s work:
When introduced species are cute and loveable, culling them is a tricky proposition: https://theconversation.com/when-introduced-species-are-cute-and-loveable-culling-them-is-a-tricky-proposition-130471
Support for the Endangered Species Act remains high as Trump administration and Congress try to gut it: https://theconversation.com/support-for-the-endangered-species-act-remains-high-as-trump-administration-and-congress-try-to-gut-it-95279
Of bears and biases: scientific judgment and the fate of Yellowstone’s grizzlies: https://theconversation.com/of-bears-and-biases-scientific-judgment-and-the-fate-of-yellowstones-grizzlies-59570
Does nature have value beyond what it provides humans?: https://theconversation.com/does-nature-have-value-beyond-what-it-provides-humans-47825
My research is centered on understanding and explaining how people make conservation-related judgments and decisions, and the intersection of such judgments with conservation policy. I am particularly interested in how people make decisions related to the conservation of wildlife, and the origins of resource-related conflicts, especially those that involve wildlife. Much of my recent work is focused on the understanding judgments and behaviors concerning large carnivores.
- Natural resources-related values, attitudes, behaviors
- Natural resources conflicts
- Wildlife management and policy
- Human-wildlife conflict